Navatu ready for final dance against Lelean

Navatu Secondary School Under-19 number eight and captain Vilimoni Solimoce Kanawabu is prepared for their final dance against Lelean Memorial School on Saturday.

Kanawabu who was a member of the Fiji Schoolboys last year which toured Australia has led his side confidently this year.

The Lavena, Taveuni lad acknowledged the support of parents who backed as they continue to make history for their school.

“Hats off to the boys for coming this far.

“We were not deterred for not having a school ground or proper training equipment; we improvised with whatever we had,” Kanawabu said.

“We thank our parents and old scholars who have backed us since day one.

“Whichever team we’re facing; we will be ready.”

Navatu Secondary School is the first team from the North to reach a Deans final.

They defeated champion rugby schools including Queen Victoria School in the play-offs, Suva Grammar School in the quarter-final and Ratu Kadavulevu School, 22-17, in last Saturday’s semi-final at Buckhurst Park, Suva.

Head coach Alipate Ravulo said they would remain humble and keep their feet grounded.

“We will go back and work on our weaknesses and polish it before the finals,” Ravulo said after their win on Saturday.

“The backbone of this team is God, if it was not for His strength and provision, we would have not achieved this.

“The message before the game was to execute our game plan, work together and play as a team.”

He added it was a great achievement to create history for such a small school and to pave the way for schools from Vanua Levu.

“Coming this far has challenged us - we don’t have a ground, training equipment and it has got us here.”